Guided Setup · 30 Days
Your first 30 days of workshop setup
A short, ordered walk-through of every setup decision a new garage, basement, or shed workshop has to make — from the day you clear the floor to the day you cut your first real project. Each step links to the matching in-depth guide, so you can read just what you need today and come back for the next piece when you're ready.
Day 1–3
Clear the space and pick your workbench
- Measure the space, mark obstacle zones, and decide where the bench anchors the room.
- Sort safety gear first — eye, hearing, respiratory. No tool purchase before these.
- Buy the bench that matches the space and your dominant project type, not the most popular one online.
Day 4–7
Light it and power it right
- Plan 100 lumens per square foot at the work surface — mix overhead with task lighting.
- Map your loads and decide whether you're calling an electrician for a subpanel this month.
- Pick a 5000K color temperature so grain, glue squeeze-out, and burn marks render honestly.
Day 8–14
Build the wall storage that holds the shop together
- Walls are free square footage — install a French cleat before buying any freestanding cabinet.
- Get the pegboard layout right now so hand tools have a permanent home from day one.
- Add a vertical lumber rack with a 1×4 ft. footprint; it stops warping and frees floor space.
Day 15–21
Set up dust collection before the big stationary tools arrive
- Pick a single-stage collector with a cyclone separator — sized to your shop, not the biggest one in stock.
- Run 4-inch ductwork to each major tool with smooth-route blast gates.
- Add a quiet exhaust fan (150–250 CFM) for fumes and the dust that recirculates anyway.
Day 22–28
Buy the first real tools — in the right order
- Sequence matters: portable tools first, then a bench, then dust collection, then a stationary tool.
- Set a maintenance habit now — 20 minutes a month saves the $250 motor replacement.
- Pick a sharpening-vs-replacing rule before you own enough blades to test it under pressure.
Day 29–30
Cut the first real project — and decide what's next
- Pick a project that uses 2–3 of the tools you just bought — simple enough to finish this weekend.
- Print the three free PDFs (Safety Checklist, Blade Sharpening Log, and the Setup Worksheet) and tape them up.
- If your setup has outgrown this guide, jump straight into a personalized plan built around your space.
Ready for a plan built around your specific space?
The 30-day guide covers what every shop needs. If your space, budget, or project list has a wrinkle those answers don't cover — tell us about it and we'll get back within one business day with a personalized plan.
Book My Free Consultation Or grab the three free PDF printables →